Notre Dame football news: Junior Tuihalamaka's transfer portal decision will catch fans' attention
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Notre Dame football is fueling national championship chatter with its stacked 2026 roster. ESPN College GameDay analyst Rece Davis is one buying the Fighting Irish hype. But ND sustained a stunning early loss Thursday involving edge rusher Junior Tuihalamaka.
He placed his name into the College Football Transfer Portal, with Pete Nakos of On3 confirming the head-turning news.
Tuihalamaka emerged as a key rusher for ND’s 2024 national title game runner-up season. Yet he cracked the starting lineup in three games last season, netting 12 tackles with 3.5 for a loss. He previously tallied 33 tackles with 5.5 tackles behind the scrimmage the previous season for ND and head coach Marcus Freeman.
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So Tuihalamaka makes this decision amid a landmark ruling involving the NCAA. One that’s seen even undrafted NFL rookies re-enter the portal like Seattle Seahawks running back TJ Harden and Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Jack Pyburn.
The Notre Dame defender’s name surfaced through a Louisiana judge granting a restraining order that allowed him and 15 other players to gain a fifth-year of eligibility. So this injunction allowed members of the 2022 graduating class to return for college.
Tuihalamaka originally came to South Bend via Southern California. He starred in rival USC’s backyard at Bishop Alemany High School, rising as a four-star recruit. His younger brother Alifeleti verbally committed to the Trojans ahead of his own senior campaign this fall.
Doubtful USC will have room to add the older brother. But a defense needing extra edge rush help and experience can certainly lean into the past ND starter. He’s hunting for a new home in a new era of college football that mirrors NFL Free Agency.
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